Fast forward to last night and the latter celebrated after leading the Province to its first major championship. Captain Davis was a year old the last time Northern Ireland competed at a major finals - the 1986 World Cup

But the honeymoon was quickly over after Sanchez was shown the door in December 2007, just 10 months into the job.

Boss: Lawrie Sanchez at Fulham

Fulham had gained but a single point from the previous five games, and certain players had fallen out with the FA Cup winner and his hoofball tactics inherited from his time with Wimbledon's Crazy Gang.

The second casualty was ironically, Davis.

He was last man standing from the four able to enjoy Northern Ireland’s big moment last night as they trumped Greece and Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou, 3-1.